I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 233 Another drama begins
In the main hall of the Qinzheng Hall in Ziguang Pavilion, Zhu Yijun sat at the top, conversing with four gentlemen, Zhang Siwei, Wang Shizhen, Wei Xueceng, and Wang Xijue.

When the conversation was in high spirits, Wanfu hurried to the door.

"Your Highness, the Emperor invites you to enter the Forbidden City."

Zhu Yijun stood up calmly, bowed to the four gentlemen and said, "My father has ordered that today's lecture will end here."

"I'm waiting to retire."

Led by the eunuchs, Zhang Siwei and his three companions walked along the road of Xiyuan without looking around, walked along the corridors, passed through the doorways, and soon exited Xi'an Gate.

Wang Shizhen grabbed Zhang Siwei and pulled him aside.

"What's the matter? Brother Fengzhou, what's the matter?" Zhang Siwei asked curiously.

"Brother Feng Pan, is this called serving as a lecturer for the Crown Prince?"

Wang Shizhen looked surprised.

I have read a lot, so don't fool me.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince asked us to talk about the interesting periods in our respective tenures, whether at the local or central level, as long as you find it interesting, you can talk about it.

It’s just necessary to explain the cause, process and result clearly.

If the prince finds it interesting, he will ask questions and get to the bottom of it.

Is this called attending the imperial lecture?

It’s obviously a story conference, okay!

Zhang Siwei blinked his eyes and replied with a smile: "Why not call it the lecture? We tell the prince about the way officials should be officials and the sufferings of the world. This is also imparting knowledge and explaining the truth."

Wang Shizhen became even more confused after listening to this.

Zhang Siwei said calmly: "The Crown Prince is responsible for military and national affairs. What he should know most is the truth about the Ming Dynasty, not the Four Books and Five Classics. We are explaining the classics to him. Do we want him to take the imperial examination?"

Wang Shizhen cupped his hands and said, "Shouldn't we let His Royal Highness the Crown Prince understand reason and justice?"

Zhang Siwei had a hint of sarcasm on his lips, but a faint smile appeared on his face: "Brother Fengzhou! His Royal Highness the Crown Prince understands reason and right and wrong better than you and I!"

Wang Shizhen's heart skipped a beat. Isn't that right?
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is in charge of all officials and is in charge of military and political affairs. It is said that the late emperor taught him this skill personally. He is also extremely talented and is many levels higher than me!
I just feel unwilling in my heart, but I can't say anything.

He was the prince's guest, the de facto leader of the lecturers in the Eastern Palace and the most active storyteller. He could tell stories at will, whether in the court or in the countryside, and he made them come alive. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince listened with great interest and asked the most questions.

He is like this, what else can I say!

Wang Shizhen bowed somewhat melancholy and left.

Zhang Siwei squinted his eyes and watched everyone leave. He turned around and looked at the towering Forbidden City with his eyes flickering, and it was unknown what he was thinking.

Sitting on the sedan chair heading to the forbidden area, Zhu Yijun asked, "Where did your father meet me today?"

"In reply to the Crown Prince, the Emperor is at Wanhua Palace today and was blocked at the door by the Concubine Xian."

"Wanhua Palace again." Zhu Yijun raised his eyebrows, "The Concubine Xian is also in Wanhua Palace now?"

"To answer the prince, yes."

Wanfu looked up at Zhu Yijun, feeling a little anxious.

My God, such a big thing happened, why aren’t you in a hurry at all?

Zhu Yijun noticed Wanfu's expression and comforted him, "Wanfu, don't panic. I know what it is."

It turns out that Your Highness knows what is going on. That's good.

Also.

The Jingjun was under the supervision of the Imperial Horse Guard, which was managed by Fang Liang, the crown prince's confidant. There was also the Jinyiwei, and Song Gongliang, the crown prince's relative, could be regarded as half of the Jinyiwei.

When the sedan chair arrived at Wanhua Palace, Zhu Yijun got off and lifted up his front lapel. Standing at the door, he said to the eunuch guarding the gate, "Tell my father that I have arrived in compliance with the imperial decree."

"Your Highness, please wait a moment!" The eunuch did not dare to delay and ran to report.

After a while, Meng Chong hurried out to greet him.

"This servant greets His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. The Emperor is waiting for His Royal Highness inside."

"Eunuch Meng, please lead the way."

"Please forgive my rudeness, please!" Meng Chong walked in front, leading Zhu Yijun into the front hall of Wanhua Palace. Before they reached the door, they heard Li crying. "Your Majesty, you have to make the decision for me. Your Hao'er was almost gone. He was beaten to death."

Meng Chong stood at the door, glanced back at Zhu Yijun, and said loudly to the inside: "Your Majesty, the prince is here."

The relieved voice of Emperor Longqing came from inside, "Quick, please invite the prince in."

Zhu Yijun walked into the front hall and saw Emperor Longqing sitting on the chair at the top in casual clothes. Concubine Li was sitting next to him with tears on her face. When she saw Zhu Yijun, she turned away with a hint of resentment in her eyes.

"My son, I pay my respects to my father."

Zhu Yijun bowed to Emperor Longqing leisurely.

"Boss, did you hear about what happened today when Concubine Xian took the Third Brother to Baoen Temple?"

"In reply to your Majesty, the Imperial Horse Supervisor and the Embroidered Uniform Guard have informed me. I have asked them to interrogate the murderer and find out who is behind this."

"Your Majesty, I beg you to make the decision and hand the murderer over to the Censorate or the Ministry of Justice for trial."

"Why should the affairs of the inner court be handed over to the outer court?" Zhu Yijun asked.

"I don't trust it. I'm afraid someone is covering it up."

"Who is shielding him? Who dares to shield him?" Zhu Yijun asked back.

Li did not answer, but turned to Emperor Longqing and said, "Your Majesty, I and Hao'er went to Bao'en Temple to burn incense and worship Buddha only three days ago, and no one outside the court knew about it.

How could someone hide in a remote place, evade the Jinyiwei and the Imperial Stables, sneak up to Haoer, and suddenly attack and injure him?

Your Majesty, you didn’t see how dangerous it was at that time. I thought I would never see my Haoer again. Woohoo! "

Li started crying again, causing Emperor Longqing to have a splitting headache. He repeatedly gestured to Zhu Yijun, asking him to take a step back.

Zhu Yijun glanced at Li and said bluntly, "From what the Concubine Xian said, are you worried that I am protecting the murderer?"

Li immediately replied, "I didn't say that."

"If I wasn't the one protecting the murderer, who else could it be? Wanfu, Huang Jin, Fang Liang or Zhu Xixiao?"

Li was speechless and just stammered, "Anyway, someone wants to murder us!"

Zhu Yijun interrupted her and said bluntly: "My Lady Concubine, if I really did it, you wouldn't have the chance to cry in front of your father."

When Emperor Longqing heard this, he thought it made sense!
He was well aware of his son's abilities.

This method is too crude. It is simply humiliating to say that the prince is the mastermind behind it.

Seeing that Emperor Longqing's expression relaxed, Zhu Yijun immediately said, "Father, let's wait for the people below to investigate the truth of this matter. If Father and Concubine Xian don't believe it, just ask Wanfu to keep an eye on it."

Emperor Longqing nodded. Of course he could trust Wanfu. With him keeping an eye on things, things would be much safer.

He definitely trusted Zhu Yijun, but he wanted more witnesses and also gave an explanation to Concubine Xian.

Zhu Yijun said, "Your Majesty, I see you look very tired, it seems you haven't had enough rest. Then I will take my leave first, and I will come back to report to you as soon as the matter is resolved."

After hearing what he said, Emperor Longqing really felt exhausted. He yawned and waved his hand, saying, "Okay, okay, you guys go away first. When the prince has examined the case, we will discuss it again. Ah! Let's discuss it again!"

Li was unwilling to accept this, knowing that if he withdrew, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity might slip away.

But Li knew Emperor Longqing's temper very well and he had no patience. If she continued to pester him, it would make Emperor Longqing lose his temper, which would be bad.

I could only retreat in disappointment.

After leaving Wanhua Palace, Zhu Yijun and Wanfu watched Li's sedan chair and ceremonial procession disappear around the corner of the alley.

"Your Highness, it's a good thing you acted decisively!"

Wanfu looked relieved and said softly.

"Wanfu, it's not that simple. How could the person who set up this plan place his hopes on Concubine Xian?"

Wanfu's expression changed slightly, "Your Highness, you said there is something else going on with this matter."

"In this matter, the focus of the disaster is not in the inner court, but in the outer court! The virtuous concubine is just a trigger."

Wanfu looked at Zhu Yijun who was as calm as water, and couldn't help asking: "Your Highness, what should we do next?"

"When the curtain opens, just watch their wonderful performance!"

(End of this chapter)